“The first of all single colors is white … We shall set down white for the representative of light, without which no color can be seen; yellow for the earth; green for water; blue for air; red for fire; and black for total darkness.” — Leonardo Da Vinci
When I studied color theory, it surprised me to learn that white pigment is the absence of color whereas in light, white is the combination of all color. Scientifically speaking, white isn’t a color at all, but as ‘non-colors’ go it’s loaded with symbolism and meaning.
I also learned today that white or pale flowers are more strongly scented than their darker counterparts. Who knew!
Come join me for a walk through my mid-autumn garden. The ‘color’ of the day, isn’t a color at all.
The rest of the vegetable garden went to sleep in October, but this pretty plant continues to thrive.
I gave this potted Bacopa very little water this summer. Now that it’s cooler and we’ve had a bit of rain, the plant revived.
This gorgeous, Camellia is one of my favorite splashes of white this time of year.
This Cosmo looks tired, but it is November. She’s been pumping out blooms for some time.
Again, one of the last blooms on this plant.
There are a few begonias in the back of this pot, but the summer belonged to my Sweet Alyssum. As it goes to sleep, a pretty white shower drifts below.
Saying Goodbye to King Tut
My sister’s beloved kitty died yesterday. He’s been a wonderful companion to her and will be sorely missed. He had the whitest coat, emerald-green eyes and the cutest little ears. He also had a sweet personality to match. Farewell KT.
Additional Reading:
Sensational Color: All about the color white.
Wikipedia: White
Color Matters: Basic Color Theory
I am so sorry to hear of King tut’s passing. Dear Sharon, please accept a warm hug from me, it is so hard losing our beloved pets and no words can ease the loss. Here is a link to a poem that I have in a slightly different form – but it says kind of what I want to say to you – I hope you like it http://www.catquotes.com/lendmeakitten.htm
Dear Alys, a lovely winding down of your autumnal garden – returning to pure light after all the vibrancy of summer and autumn. Isn’t it magical!!
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Nice poem Pauline, thanks too for your kind words ;0)
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I loved the tour through your garden, the purity of the white blooms instilling a sense of serenity.
I’m also heartily sorry for Sharon’s loss of King Tut. I know well the grief that we must bear when our beloved animal companions leave us. What a lovely poem thecontentedcrafter shared. Please give Sharon my sincere condolences as she adjusts to life without her beloved friend. Thank you, Alys, for sharing the news, as well as the adorable photos.
I’ll copy here the same poem I shared when Beijing passed:
“Dear Little Ghost, whose memory has never faded from my heart, sleep sweetly in the fields of asphodel, and waken, as of old, to stretch thy languid length and purr thy soft contentment to the skies.” ~ Agnes Repplier
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And yet another sweet poem. Thank you for your support. Everyone has been so supportive. I definitely feel like I’ve not gone through this alone.
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Thanks for including this beautiful poem. It’s perfect in its tenderness and love. I know you’ve been here many times yourself. It’s never easy, but part of loving something that we know will not live past 15 or 20 years. Their graceful presence makes the loss at the end bearable. Poor old KT.
xox
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My heart aches for Sharon. Losing a pet is just hard. I know he loved the catnip you grew for him. Hugs for her.
I love that your garden has ended in white, just like KT. How ironic.
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Thanks for the virtual hug ;0)
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Life is full of irony, agreed. Poor old KT. Sharon misses him so much. My heart aches for her.
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I’m really sad to hear your news tonight hon. Sweet, dear KT. Thank you for sharing your photo’s. The one with the silly face is so cute. My heart breaks for Sharon knowing she loved KT so much. Very sorry Sharon, that it was time to say good-bye. We are never ready. I know it must be a tremendous blow. I’ll be thinking of you both with love, I know you were very attached too. I’m sure KT adored Aunty Alys and all the grass you were lovingly growing and bringing over for him. Weren’t they lucky to have each other for so many years?
The white garden tour is so perfect for today Alys, very sweet dedication. I’ve seen an ‘all’ white garden in a magazine once. It would be hard for me to resist all the other pretty things at the Garden Market, but I thought it looked spectacular. I’m in awe of the Alyssum. It’s so tall and bushy. Our’s is usually fairly short and is grown as an annual. It smells so pretty, I’ve always enjoyed it and even more so now since it reminds me of you. Hey? Can you still use the Basil after it flowers? That smells so great in the garden too.
I know you will be offering comfort to Sharon as she adjusts to life without KT. I wish I could do something to help (could I help with a vet bill?) Please take good care of each other xo I love you dearly. ❤ K
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You are so sweet.He is lost, but will never be forgotten.
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You’re right: we are never ready. To love an animal is to know that one day we’ll be saying goodbye. Sharon really misses him. The house feels so empty with him gone. My heart hurts for her.
I imagine an all white garden would soothe in a certain way, but I love variety too. I’ve seen homes decorated with white and a bit of black and they can be warm and serene if done correctly. Again, I’m just such a fan of all colors.
Isn’t that Alyssum something? It completely took over that pot and flourished all summer long. It had just the right amount of sun. Its also a second year offspring. They tend to be healthier and heartier.
You are so kind to offer help. What a dear. xox
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And white (deuil blanc) is the colour of deepest mourning amongst Royalty, so a very appropriate post to honour King Tut. How sad it is to lose a special little being. How sweet are the flowers to comfort us.
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Beautiful words. Thank you so much for sharing them here.
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I love all your white flowers Alys, especially the anemone. A lovely tribute to your sister’s dear kitty.
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Thank you, Cathy.
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Such divergent emotions here today. My heart is sad for Sharon and my thoughts are with her. Others have expressed the sentiments of loss better than I so i’ll just hope that she reads them all and feels the love from around the world.
Alys, your photos are really great and show the beauty in your garden of white. Super photography!!
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Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.
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Laurie, thanks for your kind words for Sharon. She’s stopped by to read all of them and I know they’ve given her some comfort.
I’m so glad you liked the photos. I often think “how would Laurie take this photo” and then I hope I can do it 1/10th the justice. xox
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I’m so very sad to hear of the loss of a handsome and beloved kitty. Deepest sympathy and huge hugs to you and Sharon during such a tough time. Your beautiful garden and post are a fitting tribute to a companion so loved. Pauline’s poem helped me and the family a great deal earlier this year. I hope it also helps you both find some comfort. Thinking of you. xoxoxoxox
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Thank you, Dani. I know you’ve been through a kitty loss not so long ago. It’s been a painful few days for Sharon as she adjusts to his absence. I feel so sad on her behalf. He was a dear companion. xoxoxo
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Hi Alys! I am so sorry to hear about King Tut. The passing of ones dear friend is always hard to deal with as they become such a loved part of our lives. Give your sister a hug from me! The one huge thing that I love about blogging is seeing everyone’s life experiences, and where they live. I see things blooming in your yard, while I am sitting here right now looking at 4 inches of snow in mine! It is just amazing on how different areas we all live in, and it will never cease to amaze me! I wish I could roll back the calendar to sunnier & warmer days! Hugs!
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I saw your beautiful snow post. It seems like you were just bringing up your garden for spring planting and now I’m hearing about your snow. Time is traveling at warp speed!
Thanks for understanding about KT. Sharon’s had a few rough days. She misses her dear kitty.
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Oh yes, this whole year just flew past us so quickly. It is snowing again here today and we are supposed to have snow for the next few days. I had just mentioned to my sweets, that I want to plant something and put it under the grow light, just so we are “growing” something. We miss gardening already! You should see what it looks like outside my window right now – – it is a white out! Every branch is layered in thick snow!
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Sounds like a great idea. Lots of fun things to grow in the winter. I’ll watch for your post.
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Hey Alys! On a side note, do you have any carbon paper or know of how I can get a few sheets of it? I am making some Christmas signs and I need some carbon paper! Let me know!
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Do you have an Office Max/Office Depot in your area? If not, you can order a small pack online: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/591273/Porelon-Typewriter-Carbon-Paper-Black-8/
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Yes, we do have one of these in our area! I just did not know that they still sold it. I should start calling you Webster, like the dictionary, because you have been a wealth of information to me lately! Thanks!
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Webster! I love that.
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Sorry to hear of KT dying but very interesting info re the ‘colour’ white!
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It never fails, Alys, I always learn something new when taking a tour of your post–and especially your garden. White blossoms equal a stronger scent?? I love knowing that now, as I’ve tended to ignore those petals in favor of the eye candy catching colors. No more.
And I’m fairly certain that your “winding down” autumnal garden is pretty much what many gardeners would keep their fingers crossed for at the peak of spring and summer days. What a gift you have.
Lastly, my condolences on the sweet feline. It’s so hard to lose a dear family friend.
Hugs from my side of the screen.
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